Animal Control

Bylaws

Acton has several bylaws regarding dog licenses and animal control. If you wish to report a nuisance, please call the Police Department at (978) 264-9638 and ask to contact the Dog Officer.

E22.

No person shall own or keep a dog, six months or older, within the Town unless a license for such dog is obtained from the Town Clerk. The license period is the time frame between January 1 and the following December 31, inclusive. The fee for such a license will be determined by the Board of Selectmen in a public meeting.

E23.

Any person who is the owner or keeper of a dog in the Town of Acton and who fails to license said dog within the time required by Chapter 140, Section 137 and 137A of the General Laws, shall be subject to a penalty of $25 to be collected as provided by law.

E24.

No person owning or keeping any animal in the Town of Acton shall permit the animal to go at large to the injury or nuisance of others. In addition, a dog should not go outside the boundaries of the property of its owner or keeper unless under the complete and effective control of said owner or keeper by means of a leash or otherwise.

E25.

Owners or keepers of animals in violation of the foregoing section shall be subject to fines which shall be determined by the Board of Selectmen.